=60981&cat=India

Kids refuse to part with baby elephant gifted by government to Armenia:-
Bangalore | January 16, 2005 7:40:11 PM IST

Dozens of children, some as young as five, lined the streets of
Bangalore protesting the Centre’s decision to send a baby elephant to
Armenia as a goodwill gift.

The children, many wearing elephant masks and struggling with banners
twice their size, shouted slogans and pleaded to the authorities to
let “Veda”, the six-year-old female elephant, to stay.

The baby pachyderm is currently spending its last few days at the
Bannerghatta National Park on the outskirts of the city.

People for Animals, a voluntary organisation spearheading the
campaign, says the cold and dry climate of the tiny European nation is
unsuitable for Asian elephants and “Veda”, who is used to the warmth
of the coast , faces a serious survival threat even in the special
climate controlled enclosures provided by the zoo.

Urging the government to reconsider its decision, Siddhant, also six
years old, said Veda was his friend and like him could not stay away
from home. “This elephant should not be sent to such a cold climate
which is zero degree. If my parents send me away to a cold climate I
cannot live,” he said.

Activists say that elephants are extremely sensitive and emotional and
little Veda will face both loneliness and confusion when shifted from
the sanctuary. Sharat Babu, an activist, said even the government was
not aware about how well the Armenia zoo was equipped to handle
Veda. “We are actually protesting against the illegal transfer of
Veda, the baby elephant which has for six years been in Bannerghatta
to Armenia, where temperatures are totally unsuitable and the housing
is incorrect in the Armenia zoo,” he said.

Armenian officials had asked the Indian government for a female
pachyderm in 1999. Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee promised
them an elephant during a visit to Armenia last year. (ANI)